On May 5, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Svetlana Medvedeva, First Lady of the Russian Federation. She was accompanied by Rita Sargsian, First Lady of the Republic of Armenia.

His Holiness welcomed Mrs. Medvedeva to the center of Armenian spiritual life, reflecting on the long-standing friendship between the two countries. The Catholicos expressed his appreciation for the joint educational and cultural projects implemented by the first ladies, contributing to the development and reinforcement of relations between the two countries. Mrs. Medvedeva expressed her happiness for her visit to Armenia and to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, for the opportunity to learn about the religious heritage of the Armenians.

During the meeting, His Holiness and the First Lady spoke about the close ties between the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox Churches, their cooperation in different spheres and the warm relationship enjoyed between the two Pontiffs. His Holiness also commended the Russian authorities for their strong support of the Russian Orthodox Church in recognition of the important role it plays in the life of the people